Lewis Hamilton wins his third F1 World Championship

Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton called his third Formula One world championship the “greatest moment” of his life. “Nico was really quick in stages, he pitted under the virtual safety auto but never for one second did I think I couldn’t do it”.

Rosberg ensured a Mercedes one-two was secured, though, and Hamilton now holds an unassailable advantage with three rounds of the season remaining.

“Who knows what will happen in the race, but I am feeling good in any condition and our auto is great in any condition, so whatever is fine really”.

Hamilton now has an unbeatable total of 327 points, moving him beyond the reach of Rosberg and Vettel who finished third.

“This is Lewis’s day”.

“I would love to go there, it would be absolutely insane”, the Mercedes driver added. “The nights after you win the championship are pretty special too”.

He has already surpassed Senna’s tally of 41 race wins, Sunday being Hamilton’s 43rd. The second and third have been much more dominant.

The success puts Hamilton in esteemed company, leaving him level with Ayrton Senna, Niki Lauda, Jackie Stewart, Jack Brabham and Nelson Piquet. He is now on a four-race streak without starting from the front row on the grid, however. His closest rival has been Rosberg.

“It has kind of topped a year ago for me – it’s equalling Ayrton”, he added.

The situation had seemingly cooled by the time the pair hit a bar later in the evening, with Rosberg even taking to the microphone to belt out a few karaoke as the celebrations of Hamilton’s title kicked into gear.

Sebastian Vettel paid tribute to Hamilton, saying: “Congratulations to Lewis, he did a superb job all year”. I was behind, struggling with the auto, but then came back with strength.

The move gave Rosberg nowhere to go and he soon found himself in fourth as Red Bull’s Daniil Kvyat and Daniel Ricciardo jumped into the gap on Hamilton’s rear.

As to the prospect of Rosberg treating Hamilton in a different manner from now on, Wolff said: “That danger is, for sure, imminent”. “He drove a strong season and deserves to win the title”. The world championship was right there.